LOS ANGELES—A judge declared a mistrial April 13 in the federal criminal trial of former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan after doctors said Chan’s lead defense attorney would require months to recover from a sudden illness.
U.S. District Judge John Walter ordered Chan to retain a new attorney by April 24, and set a status/trial setting hearing for April 28.
During the hearing Thursday, Chan asked for more time to retain a new attorney to replace Harland Braun, whose hospitalization last month caused a recess in proceedings two weeks after the trial began. However, Walter denied the request, saying the defendant would have to file a request for more time if he is not able to meet the deadline, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office….